New Plant Crystallizes Harsco’s Growth

Global abrasives maker Harsco Metals & Minerals is rapidly broadening its North American presence with the new acquisition of a crushed-glass manufacturing operation and a network of new warehouses.

The plant, previously owned by LVH Industries Inc., is in Orwigsburg, PA. The acquisition follows the opening of five new warehouse locations in two years by the Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of Black Beauty coal-slag, iron and glass abrasives; aggregate products; and roofing granules.

Harsco Metals & Minerals

The new plant allows Harsco to increase production of glass abrasives and other products.

The glass plant acquisition supports the company's year-old entry into the glass abrasives business. Harsco says the additional facility will allow it to expand production of a variety of glass products.

'Beyond Abrasives'

“This new operation further expands our offering to the surface preparation industry and also allows us to diversify our product offerings into alternate applications, beyond abrasives,” said Greg Andersen, business unit president.

The company will offer recycled crushed glass for abrasive markets; industrial cullet; countertops and solid surfaces; filtration; filler and coatings.

New Warehouses

Harsco Metals & Minerals has also rapidly expanded its distribution network in the past in two years, with the opening of five wearehouse/transload facilities in:

Baltimore, MD;

Buffalo, NY;

Virginia Beach, VA;

Salt Lake City, UT; and

St. Louis, MO.

The longtime maker of the coal-slag abrasive Black Beauty entered the glass abrasives market last year.

The LVH acquisition was announced in July; the new St. Louis facility, in June.

Harsco Metals & Minerals is a division of Harsco Corp., a diversified industrial company serving the steel and metals production, construction, railways and energy industries.